Treatment of Obesity
The classic approach to determine a person’s obesity is body mass index or BMI. What is BMI? It is the person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters. However, this method may not be accurate as it does not take into consideration the person’s muscle, adipose tissue and the overall body type.
Many people who may be in good shape, but for few problem areas like the flanks or thighs, keenly look forward to non-invasive body sculpting. For such people BMI may not be helpful.
From the patient’s point of view, it is more important to measure the circumference of the thigh, the waist, skinfold thickness, visual assessment and photographic comparisons of the pre- and post- procedure as it reflects their expected outcome.
Similarly, it is possible to measure cellulite. The simplest and most effective method of assessment is direct observation with side lighting. These observations are then used to arrive at a relatively simple scoring system for the appearance of cellulite.
In recent times, other technologies such as MRI, ultrasound and electrical conductivity have been used in clinical trials to assess adipose tissue and cellulite. However, their main objective is to assess the potential efficacy of the new therapeutic option rather than for the evaluation and management of patients.
Therapeutic Options
Non-invasive body sculpting can be done using a wide range of techniques and technologies. These include topical creams, injectable agents, physical manipulation, lasers and light sources and cryolipolysis. The choice of treatment depends on how the patients present themselves clinically, what is their expectation and what is their preference. It is important to highlight that generally, no treatment provides more than a modest, local contouring benefit.
We all know that any beauty store or cosmetic aisle will have stocks of topical creams that claim to melt away cellulite and fat. The active ingredients in such products are believed to improve circulation, improve lymphatic drainage, or cause lipolysis to improve the appearance of cellulite and fat. In reality, many of these agents have little evidence to support them.
Topical retinol compounds stimulate neocollagenosis and have been the backbone of cosmetic treatments for long. They improve the appearance by increasing collagen deposition and promoting glycosaminoglycan synthesis, leading to denser and stronger fibrous septae.
Clinical studies on topical retinol revealed modest outcomes. A study by Kligman et al on 20 patients showed a clinical improvement after the 20 patients applied topical retinol twice daily for 6 months.
Another study by Pierard-Franchimont et al on 15 patients showed a phenotypic shift of connective tissue cells, but that there was no visible improvement in overt cellulite appearance after 6 months of application of topical retinol. Hence, the benefits of topical retinoids can be considered to be modest.
Methylxanthines, like aminophylline, have been found to be effective in treating cellulite. They act as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and when applied, lead to an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels.
Although this increase could theoretically activate hormone sensitive lipase and stimulate lipolysis in the treated areas, other studies have not shown significant clinical improvements in the appearance of cellulite and fat.
Several herbal therapies have been found effective in treating cellulite and fat, though they have not been subjected to rigorous testing.
If you would like to reshape areas of your body, then body contouring is the solution for you. Book a consultation today to find out if you are a suitable candidate for body contouring and sculpting. Call us for an appointment at # 1-647-660-0860 or just send us an email to [email protected] and book a consultation right now at # 3630 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1G 1P6